Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani sharply condemned Israel at the UN Security Council on Thursday after an airstrike hit a diplomatic compound in Doha, killing several people including a Qatari security officer.
“Have you seen a state attack negotiators like that?” Sheikh Mohammed asked, calling the Sept. 9 strike a “criminal assault” and a “clear violation of Qatar’s sovereignty.” He warned the attack could derail ongoing Gaza ceasefire negotiations.
The strike targeted a residential complex housing Hamas political bureau members. Hamas confirmed relatives of its negotiators were killed, though senior leaders survived.
UN officials described the attack as an “alarming escalation,” while the UK denounced it as a flagrant breach of Qatar’s sovereignty. Britain urged both Hamas and Israel to de-escalate, reaffirming support for a two-state solution.
The US expressed concern and offered condolences but reiterated support for Israel’s security. Acting Ambassador Dorothy Shea said Washington remained committed to ceasefire talks and humanitarian access.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the strike as a direct response to a deadly Hamas attack in Jerusalem. Israel’s UN envoy Danny Danon accused Qatar of “harboring terrorists” and compared the operation to the US killing of Osama bin Laden.
Despite the strike, Sheikh Mohammed vowed Qatar would continue mediating in partnership with Egypt and the US. “This attack is not only on Qatar — it is on every country striving for peace,” he said.
“Have you seen a state attack negotiators like that?” Sheikh Mohammed asked, calling the Sept. 9 strike a “criminal assault” and a “clear violation of Qatar’s sovereignty.” He warned the attack could derail ongoing Gaza ceasefire negotiations.
The strike targeted a residential complex housing Hamas political bureau members. Hamas confirmed relatives of its negotiators were killed, though senior leaders survived.
UN officials described the attack as an “alarming escalation,” while the UK denounced it as a flagrant breach of Qatar’s sovereignty. Britain urged both Hamas and Israel to de-escalate, reaffirming support for a two-state solution.
The US expressed concern and offered condolences but reiterated support for Israel’s security. Acting Ambassador Dorothy Shea said Washington remained committed to ceasefire talks and humanitarian access.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the strike as a direct response to a deadly Hamas attack in Jerusalem. Israel’s UN envoy Danny Danon accused Qatar of “harboring terrorists” and compared the operation to the US killing of Osama bin Laden.
Despite the strike, Sheikh Mohammed vowed Qatar would continue mediating in partnership with Egypt and the US. “This attack is not only on Qatar — it is on every country striving for peace,” he said.
